Purchase College vs. Penn State Altoona

Comparable Facts

Compare SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY with Penn State Altoona in Altoona, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than Penn State Altoona based on total student enrollment (3,333 students vs. 2,371 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• SUNY at Purchase College is located in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting); Penn State Altoona is in Altoona, PA (Small City setting).
• SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Penn State Altoona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: SUNY at Purchase College 12:1; Penn State Altoona 13:1.

Purchase College vs. Penn State Altoona Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Purchase College or Penn State Altoona? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at SUNY at Purchase College than Penn State Altoona ($18,211 vs. $21,618).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Penn State Altoona are 11.9% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($14,474 vs. $16,436).
• Penn State Altoona is 78.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $7,019 more per year; $15,972.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 40.4% higher at Penn State Altoona than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $7,755 more per year; $26,958.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Penn State Altoona than at SUNY at Purchase College (78% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Penn State Altoona students is 6.3% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($11,088 vs. $10,432).

Purchase College vs. Penn State Altoona Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Purchase College or Penn State Altoona? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn State Altoona and Purchase College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 100 points higher than at Penn State Altoona (1180).
• Incoming Purchase College students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 25 at Penn State Altoona).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380; Penn State Altoona 1070/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: SUNY at Purchase College 27/30; Penn State Altoona 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Purchase College - Test optional; Penn State Altoona - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Penn State Altoona students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.4) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Penn State Altoona has a higher acceptance rate (98.1%) than Purchase College (74%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.9% at Purchase College vs. 10.3% at Penn State Altoona.

Purchase College vs. Penn State Altoona Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Purchase College and Penn State Altoona? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Penn State Altoona's six-year graduation rate (65%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Penn State Altoona earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,300 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $4,318 lower median loan debt than Penn State Altoona graduates ($22,500 vs. $26,818).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Penn State Altoona graduates ($232 vs. $277).
• More Penn State Altoona graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.